The Czech education system is experiencing a troubling trend of increasing reliance on preparatory courses and exams, creating significant challenges for students from less privileged backgrounds. These courses, which were once a form of tutoring, have now become a prerequisite for admission to high schools, placing undue pressure on parents to invest in them and perpetuating a cycle that raises the bar for acceptance.

State entrance exams hold considerable power in determining a child’s educational opportunities, influencing which high school they can attend. However, the primary purpose of primary schools should be to equip children with a broad range of critical competencies outlined in the approved curriculum, rather than solely preparing them for a specific test.

Parents have found that certain test material is not adequately covered in schools, leading them to seek out preparatory courses that can cost around 10,000 Czech korunas. While these courses offer valuable assistance with test preparation and stress management, they also highlight educational gaps that should be addressed within the regular curriculum.

It is essential not to dismiss these preparatory course agencies as they are merely responding to parental demand. If there is a societal desire for something, a corresponding supply will emerge, explains Miroslav Hřebecký, the program director of the educational information center EDUin.

However, this trend unintentionally exacerbates the existing inequality within the Czech education system, which is already more pronounced compared to other European countries. Students whose parents are actively involved in their education and willing to invest financially have a significant advantage over those from less ambitious families. While these students may possess equal intelligence and motivation, the support they receive at home inevitably contributes to their success. Hřebecký adds that high-stakes tests, such as entrance exams, are inherently problematic as they narrow the curriculum and impact the functioning of primary schools, regardless of their quality.

In Prague, preparatory courses have become almost obligatory for parents, with thousands of children attending them or receiving private tutoring. This has led to a rise in the bar for success, as parents feel compelled to enroll their children due to the widespread participation of their peers. The pressure becomes difficult to resist, as Markéta, a parent, shares her initial disagreement with the idea but ultimately paid tens of thousands of korunas for yearly tutoring.

As more students prepare for these exams, the number of successful candidates also increases, resulting in higher scores being required for admission. This perpetual cycle primarily affects Prague, parts of Central Bohemia, and Brno, while students from other regions may possess equal capabilities but lack the same access to preparatory opportunities.

While it is crucial to have predictable and comparable state entrance exams, with requirements derived from the general educational framework, it is equally important to ensure that the broader curriculum is not overshadowed by a narrow focus on exam preparation. The pressure to achieve high scores should not come at the expense of fostering critical thinking, creativity, and personal development.

While some argue that the uniformity of exams is beneficial, providing predictability and equal opportunities for all students, there is a need to strike a balance and ensure that the education system focuses on holistic development rather than solely preparing students for entrance exams.

Article by Prague Forum